Shop Smart
Sometimes you need to buy a replacement car in a day or so and sometimes you have months to buy a car – either way there is a smart way to buy a used car. If you buy a used car from a dealer will they be around 30 days from now? Car dealerships are closing left and right – don’t assume anything for granted.
You have come to the right place to start your smart shopping. The more you learn about the buying process the better chance you will get a great deal and a great used car.
YOU are in charge of the buying process – no one is going to help you but yourself and my Blog. Don’t assume for a second that the nice salesrep at the used car dealer is anything but a shark who wouldn’t give up one second of sleep if he screwed you.
Just where can you buy a used car? There a many sources:
- New Car Dealerships
- Used Car Dealerships
- eBay Motors
- Internet used car sites
- Craig’s List
- AutoTrader newspaper
- Newspapers
- For Sale signs on local cars
- Bulletin boards at work, church, supermarkets
New Car Dealerships
Every new car dealership sells used cars. They have expensive locations, expensive buildings, expensive salesreps, expensive advertising and you, the used car buyer pay for all of that. This is the most expensive way to buy a used car. The dealer will provide financing either themselves or thru banks. You can do the same and save money or just pay cash and save a lot of money.
Don’t assume that the used cars in their lots are trade-ins – they are not. The dealer goes to used car auctions and buys cars that they know will sell in there area.
The used cars at a new car dealership can be “certified” by their mechanics and carry warranties – you pay for every cent of that. But for some folks marching into a new car dealership and buying a certified pre-owned car for big bucks feel good.
Used Car Dealerships
A 100% pre-owned car dealership can be set up in a few days with a credit line which allows for “floor plans” (A way of financing a car thru a bank) that are essentially used car rentals. You’ve probably seen such a used car dealership – it changes names and management frequently; when it does all warranties are void.
The used car dealership simply goes to the used car auction and uses a Floor Plan to buy a bunch of cars that their mechanics then fix up and sell.
eBay Motors
Thousands of folks buy a used car, sight unseen, thru eBay Motors. Many car dealerships list their used cars there too. Many of these buyers never “kick the tires” or test drive the car or bring it to a mechanic – they simply buy it and hope the reputation of the seller in eBay hold up for their purchase.
Internet used Car Sites
It costs little to start up a website that offers folks a place to list their car for sale. There are hundreds of these sites, probably thousands of them. Some are great and some are horrible. The trick is to find out which websites are good.
Craig’s List
Craig’s list is truly amazing – it is so crude that it make me shake my head but folks list their cars for sale there and folks buy them direct from the owner. Many never see the car or drive the car until the day they drive to the owner’s home and see the car. There are ZERO protections for the buyer on Craig’s List and the place is full of con artists which prey on folks.
AutoTrader
AutoTrader is huge and you’ve seen their free little newspapers at all kinds of places. This is an excellent place to list a used car and folks seem to check out AutoTrader all the time, either in newsprint or on the Internet.
Newspapers
The newspapers have a huge section for cars, both new and used. This is a place that must be read frequently. Dealers and private owners both run classified ads in the newspapers.
For Sale Signs in cars
You’ve seen the used car signs in many cars driving buy or in parking lots. Jot down the phone number and if you see the car in a parking lot jot down the VIN too.
Bulletin Boards
Check the bulletin boards at work, church, food stores, campuses, etc. Many folks list their used car and a phone number.
Continue reading my Blog for tips and insights into smart used car purchases.
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